Extensive consensus reached on outcome of AELM: APEC senior official
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E-mail Xinhua, August 15, 2014
APEC members have reached an extensive consensus on the outcome of the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) to be held in November in Beijing, said Zhang Jun, vice chair of the 2014 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting(SOM), on Friday.
Zhang, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at a press briefing during the ongoing third SOM and Related Meetings in Beijing.
During this year's AELM, leaders will exchange views on the role of APEC and Asia-Pacific economic integration, finding new areas of growth and strengthening connectivity, he said.
"The significance of this meeting is that our leaders will be able to build a consensus on these important issues that will lead future Asia-Pacific cooperation.
"It is widely agreed that we should continue to promote Asia-Pacific economic integration, kick-off the Free Trade Area for Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) process, further promote economic structural reform, facilitate innovation, explore new dynamism and areas of economic growth, and strengthen regional connectivity to sustain Asia-Pacific economic development," he said. "With the momentum of recovery in the world economy and increasing positive signs, growth expectations are higher than in previous years.
"At the same time, destabilizing factors and many challenges for full world economic recovery and healthy growth remain," he said. "The Asia-Pacific region bears responsibility as an engine for world economic growth."
One task for the many SOM3 committees and working group meetings is to deepen consensus, implement cooperation initiatives, and make preparations for the outcome document of the AELM.
"We believe that through concerted effort, we can shape the future through the Asia-Pacific partnership, establish an open economy that is integrated, innovative and interconnected, and write a new chapter in Asia-Pacific cooperation," he said.
"China is steadily preparing for the AELM," he said. "We started our preparations in December. Over the past months, we have hosted the Informal Senior Officials' Meeting (ISOM), First Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM1), Second Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM2), and a series of sectoral ministerial meetings.
"We have established a committee to prepare for the event through inter-departmental and inter-agency cooperation," he said.
"Recently, we organized a briefing on preparation for the AELM and a site visit to the venues of the leaders' week, including the China National Convention Center (CNCC) and Yanqi Lake." he added.
"As the host of the AELM, Beijing has done a tremendous amount of work and meticulous preparation, including staffing, logistical support and venue construction. China is full of confidence for a fruitful AELM and looks forward to the support of members," he said.
"We believe that this year's AELM will inject vigor into the Asia-Pacific, and that China will continue to create opportunities for the development of the region," he said. Endi
